Risk Factors for Subsequent Cervicovaginal Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection and the Protective Role of Antibodies to HPV‐16 Virus‐Like Particles

Gloria Ho, Yevgeniy Y. Studentsov, Charles B. Hall, Robert Bierman, Leah Beardsley, Michele Lempa, Robert D. Burk

The Journal of Infectious Diseases · 2002 · 166 citations · 25 references

Concepts

Abstract

A high incidence of initial infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) was previously reported in a cohort of 608 women monitored at 6-month intervals for 3 years. Risk factors for subsequent infections with different HPV types and whether antibodies against HPV-16 virus-like particles (VLPs) protected against these infections were examined. Subsequent infections with HPV are very common. Seventy percent of women acquired a different HPV type within 24 months of the initial infection. Risk factors included being nonwhite, having an increased number of male sex partners, and having had a new male sex partner. Use of oral contraceptive pills was protective. A sustained high level of IgG antibody to HPV-16 VLPs was associated with reduced risk for subsequent infection with HPV-16 and its genetically related types (i.e., HPV-31, -33, -35, -52, and -58).

References

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